Releases & Statements

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

July 25, 2008
Contact: Alex Shoor
(212) 669-4691; (202) 669-7059
Release #:29-2008

Gotbaum: Signs Intended to Protect Children at Playgrounds Must be in English and Spanish

City playgrounds pose serious hidden danger; Signs warning against bare feet on the playground are barely visible at many playgrounds and only in English

MANHATTAN – In the ongoing controversy over the black rubber mats on playgrounds of city parks burning children’s skin, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum is calling for signs to be clearly visible, provide adequate information, and be in languages besides English to properly warn parents. Additionally, Gotbaum is calling on the Parks Department to consider a safer alternative, such as playground surfacing in lighter colors, as recommended in a recent U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission handbook.

The Public Advocate sent Commissioner Benepe a letter earlier this week requesting that the Parks Department immediately replace or treat the black rubber mats which are causing severe burns to children at city playgrounds. Gotbaum called on the Parks Department to ensure that all city playgrounds have adequate signage in all appropriate languages and also identify alternatives to other equipment in city playgrounds that is capable of causing burn injuries to young children.

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said, “A city playground in Mott Haven or Washington Heights must have safety warnings in Spanish just as one in Chinatown must have signs posted in Chinese. The Parks Department needs to recognize the multicultural, multilingual nature of this city. Above all, it must understand that if it is not willing to alter or replace these mats, it has to warn parents from the dangers these mats continue to present.”

Parks Commissioner Benepe was quoted as saying, “signs were posted in playgrounds warning against going barefoot.” However, Gotbaum and New York City Park Advocates identified parks throughout the city that don’t have visible signs, or have signs that are only in English in areas where English is not the primary language.

There are an estimated 170 foreign languages spoken in New York City, and in nearly half of all households, English is not the primary language, according to the census in 2000. Earlier this week, all city agencies were ordered by the Mayor to provide language assistance in six foreign languages: Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Italian and French Creole. The order requires, for the first time, that the agencies follow the same standard when providing translation and interpretation to New Yorkers who do not speak English.

Public Advocate Gotbaum, a former Parks Commissioner, has worked to address park safety issues, including the controversial use of artificial turf in many city parks. In April 2007, she called for independent testing of rubber pellets made from recycled tires containing chemicals that have been linked to cancer and other health problems. In February, 2008, Gotbaum called on the city to issue an immediate moratorium on the installation of artificial turf, and conduct physical tests of turf fields for potential toxins. She also noted at the time that, in addition to potential toxins they contain, artificial turf fields have been shown to heat up to 160 degrees on hot days and there was not adequate signage to protect children.

The Public Advocate was joined by Geoffrey Croft of NYC Park Advocates.

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